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Nimkish — One last play, Grandpa
#captivity #killer #orca #play #seaworld #tilikum #whale #trua #nimkish
Published: 2017-01-09 04:08:09 +0000 UTC; Views: 5809; Favourites: 160; Downloads: 0
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Description
Tilikum and his grandson Trua playing with their favorite toys in the early morning light.
My Tribute Journal to Tilikum: fav.me/dauh1yu
It was a joy to watch Trua playing with his Grandfather. They were so sweet together and I'm glad Tilikum got to spend the last few years with him. Trua will be the most negatively affected from the loss, so I hope he copes well.
They liked the 'kelp' toys. Tilikum particularly liked it with the floating ball attached. He would carry the rope and when he was swimming, the ball would bounce along his body, pecs and belly like a massage.
RIP Tilikum.
Some sweet videos:
Tilikum and Trua playing with their toys: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V25ff7…
Tilikum giving himself a massage with his floating ball kelp toy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF76Xj…
Trua mimicking his Grandpa: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hq6z6…
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Comments: 46
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"Trua, when I die, you can eat my brain and it will give you power." I love writing imaginary dialog for animals in captivity.
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Wow I don't know how I didn't favorite this already. I love this picture! <3 It's perfect.
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I loved seeing them doing this, and you captured it so well.
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A beautiful tribute. I feel so bad for Trua, hopefully he does ok. 
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Trua still has plenty of other pals there, I'm sure he will be fine! Thanks!
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Oh that's so good to hear! 
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Such a beautiful picture! I can almost feel the care and playfulness coming from it.
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If you mean why it is bent over, it's because killer whales' dorsal fins are made of cartilage, just like our ears. At 6 feet tall, a male's dorsal fin needs water pressure around it to stay upright. Since captive orca spend a lot of time at the surface or on slide-outs, their fin is exposed to the warm air and doesn't get the support that a wild orca's fin would from deep water (and usually only surfacing to breathe, rather than resting a the surface most of the day). So, the fin simply slumps over. Medically it doesn't harm them, but it is a sad sight.
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I sort of asked it as a rhetorical question. Its a lovely art piece though.
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Tili and Trua. They were always fun to watch together.
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You're very welcome. Wonderful tribute to Tili
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This is so beautiful, a touching tribute to an amazing whale.
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Both Trua and Malia, we spend much time with Malia his last few weeks
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I'm sure Malia and Trua will become close now. Thanks!
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This melted, warmed, and broke my heart all at the same time!
A lovely piece as always, Nim!!!
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This is soooo heartwarming, I recognized who it was right away ❤️ Your water webbing is super pretty, as always
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